I have been very ill with severe pain since November. Even with conservative treatment, my condition continued to worsen. I finally consented to have extensive back surgery on March 1st. The surgeon informed me that it would be 6-12 weeks before I would feel normal again.
Many people have been praying for me, and I thank all of you for praying. I thank God for an excellent surgeon, but I know that Jesus is my healer. The first two weeks post-op were pretty bad, but now less than four weeks out, I am doing amazingly well. I’m planning to go to church on Sunday. I give all praise to my Heavenly Father and to Jesus my healer!
If you have been following my blog, you may remember my post on August 29, 2008, “Answer to Our Prayers”. It was the praise report of our daughter coming back to Jesus a few months before. She gave her heart to Jesus doing the Easter season in March of 2008, two years ago. She is still loving Him and what a difference He has made in her life!
She sent me this poem a few days ago that she had just written. She said that she was thinking of how most people this time of year are trying to get back into shape for the summer, when these words came to her. I want to share it with you and I’m sure that it will bless you as it did me.
Strength In Christ
We want perfect bodies with firmness and shape,
We planned our workout and we watched what we ate.
The pounds they came off and the results were in view,
But inside, tender hearts are still needing renewed.
We strive for perfection and outward acclaim,
But inside we still suffer with nothing to gain.
God knew who we are when He created the earth,
It is there in His love that we realize our worth.
It is not by chance or luck we are here,
Each one of us chosen, each one of us dear.
He chose us and knew us before we were born.
To not love Him back, will His heart not be torn?
As we do for our bodies to strengthen and grow,
We must sacrifice daily with our goal Him to know.
Take time when you wake to sit with Him and pray,
To start your beginning and end of your day.
Get lost in His word the true bread of life,
You won’t fear the carbs instead gain New Life.
You will see in short time the new you that appears,
Without heavy hearts and without any fears.
This New Life we’re given so precious and short,
Came with a steep price the fee paid by our Lord.
Is it not worth the time and work we must do?
To feel so alive and through Him be renewed.
A workout plan simple to grow strong in Him,
Just stop for a moment and look from within.
By Lori Staley - 2010
Thank you, Jesus, for blessing Lori’s life and for the gifts and anointing you have given her.
We are encouraged to continue to pray and believe your promises for all of our lost children to believe and accept Your love. We give you praise for the many prayers that You have already answered.
”Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!”
Psalm 150:6
Love and Prayers,
Carolyn
